How successful has Sierra Leone been in reforming its security sector? This paper, by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, assesses the main elements of security sector reform (SSR) in Sierra Leone. It suggests that SSR has increased public safety and enhanced the country’s poverty reduction strategy. However, the security sector has not been adequately embedded in a democratic governance framework. SSR can be successful only as part of an overarching democratic post conflict reconstruction framework.
Many people see the Sierra Leonean post-conflict reconstruction process, as a great success, particularly security sector reform. In September 2004, the government of Sierra Leone was able to take over countrywide security primacy from the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). The return of public safety has been the culmination of a programme of demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration, restructuring of the security sector, restoration of civil authority and enhanced state control of diamond mining. The withdrawal of UNAMSIL in December 2005 provides evidence that Sierra Leone is on a potentially sustainable transition from war to peace.
While the SSR process in Sierra Leone shows significant achievements and positive results, some operational and governance deficits remain. Much of the gains of post-conflict reconstruction in Sierra Leone remain fragile.
- The reform of the security sector in Sierra Leone has enhanced the restoration of public safety in the country. The new Police Charter focuses on respect for human rights, provision of reliable and accountable services, equal opportunities and professionalism.
- Policy statements from the highest political levels in Sierra Leone indicate a more people centred security agenda.
- SSR is at the core of the country’s poverty reduction strategy as a deliberate matter of government policy.
- There is still widespread poverty, which has combined with endemic corruption to create despair, discontent and increasing criminality.
- There are many unemployed and discontented young people who are potential recruits for the political elite and for increased criminal activity.
- The gap between civilian control and democratic control is becoming evident in the security sector.
The most significant problems, from a governance perspective, lie in the marginal role of democratic oversight and control mechanisms in the security sector reform process:
- There are entrenched old ways of thinking about security, which is exclusionary and inherently undemocratic.
- There is need for effective oversight of the Office of National Security to ensure that its doesn’t abuse its power.
- The growth in the private security sector presents oversight and governance challenges that are not mentioned in government security policy documents. It also shows the government’s inability to provide security to all segments of society.
- Sierra Leone’s security sector reform programme is dependent on outside external aid, which allows donors to control the agenda and therefore inhibit local ownership.
- There is lack of consensus regarding transitional justice. This hinders the emergence of a clear sense of national cohesion, which is an essential condition for an effective and accountable security sector.
